Ways of In-App purchases
There are several ways users can pay for in-app purchases, depending on the platform and region. Here are the main types:
1. Platform-Based Payment Methods
These are the default payment mechanisms provided by app stores:
- Apple’s App Store (iOS) – Uses Apple Pay, credit/debit cards, gift cards, and carrier billing.
- Google Play Store (Android) – Uses Google Pay, credit/debit cards, PayPal, and carrier billing.
- Amazon Appstore – Uses Amazon Pay, credit/debit cards, and gift cards.
- Used by Netflix, YouTube Premium, and Tinder via Apple/Google Play.
2. Credit/Debit Cards
- Direct payments using Visa, MasterCard, or American Express.
- Used by Spotify, Disney+, and Uber for subscriptions and purchases.
3. Digital Wallets & UPI
- Payments through Google Pay, Apple Pay, PayPal, Alipay, and UPI (India).
- Used by Amazon Pay, Swiggy, and Google Pay for instant transactions.
4. Third-Party Payment Gateways
- External services like Stripe, Razorpay, or Payoneer for direct payments.
- Used by Netflix (in some regions) Shopify for subscriptions.
5. Cryptocurrency & Blockchain Payments (Emerging Trend)
- Some decentralized apps (dApps) and gaming platforms accept Bitcoin, Ethereum, and other cryptocurrencies.
- Mostly seen in Web3 applications and blockchain-based games.
- Used by Axie Infinity, Decentraland, and OpenSea for crypto transactions.